Angela Rayner pledged “solidarity” with both Stonewall and the LGBTQ+ community after the BBC announced departure from the diversity scheme
On 10 November, the BBC announced that it had quit the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme, citing concerns over remaining “impartial” for its exit.
The scheme gives employers training on LGBTQ+ inclusion to ensure all members of the community are accepted and respected in the workplace.
Major players like the UK government’s Cabinet Office and Ofcom controversially quit Stonewall’s programme earlier in 2021.
“The BBC is fully committed to being an industry-leading employer on LGBTQ+ inclusion,” a spokesperson for the BBC said. “We are proud of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans colleagues and we support them to have fulfilling careers at the BBC.”
The statement explained that the BBC’s involvement in “public policy debates where Stonewall is taking an active role” was a key factor in the decision to withdraw from the scheme.
The statement added: “Along with many other UK employers, the BBC has participated in Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme to support our objective to create a fully inclusive workplace. However, over time our participation in the Programme has led some to question whether the BBC can be impartial when reporting on public policy debates where Stonewall is taking an active role.
“After careful consideration, we believe it is time to step back from the Diversity Champions Programme and will also no longer participate in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.”
Stonewall took to Twitter to share a full statement on the move, calling the departure “a shame” but adding that organisations taking part are free to “come and go depending on what’s best for their inclusion journey at the time.”
“Today’s news that the BBC is leaving our Diversity Champions programme comes in the wake of organised attacks on LGBTQ+ inclusion,” a tweet from the charity said. “Ultimately, it is LGBTQ+ people who suffer.
Responding to Stonewall’s tweet, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said that she stands in “solidarity” with both the charity and the LGBTQ+ community.
“Solidarity with @stonewalluk, our LGBTQ+ community and all organisations and everyone showing their support for Stonewall and the Diversity Champions Programme,” she wrote.
“Solidarity today and always with trans people facing a campaign of hate and discrimination.”
Solidarity with @stonewalluk, our LGBTQ+ community and all organisations and everyone showing their support for Stonewall and the Diversity Champions Programme.
Solidarity today and always with trans people facing a campaign of hate and discrimination. https://t.co/BA9SocceoK pic.twitter.com/EbdLkG7kJe
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) November 10, 2021
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